Dental Assistant Supervisor
About The Position
Under the general and direct supervision of the dentist, the Dental Assistant Supervisor assists with patient examinations and treatment and oversees dental assistant staff. The role includes department supply management, scheduling and payroll approval, safety and compliance oversight, staff development, conflict resolution, and clinical coverage as needed. The supervisor also oversees the Lead Dental Assistant and serves as a role model for dental assistants and other dental staff. The position provides clinical assistance throughout dental procedures, prepares patients and operatories, maintains instruments and supplies, follows infection control procedures, takes radiographs, prepares materials and impressions, and assists with a broad range of restorative, endodontic, hygiene, and oral surgery procedures. The employee may work at other sites, including Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and ACTION, as needed. The position is based in the busy office environment of a Community Health Center and involves exposure to saliva, blood-borne pathogens, moving mechanical parts, and occasional fumes, airborne particles, and radiation.
Requirements
- High school diploma plus training leading to basic knowledge of dental terminology and dental service procedures.
- Seven years of experience as a Dental Assistant.
- DANB certification.
- CPR certification.
- Proficient reading, writing, and speaking in English.
- Demonstrated interpersonal relationship skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding office environment.
- Proficiency in basic computer skills.
- All competencies required by Level 5 or higher.
- Ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including normal visual acuity, standard clerical dexterity, moderate walking, standing, reaching, and stooping, and minor lifting.
Responsibilities
- Maintain adequate department stock and order supplies using purchasing software and systems.
- Approve site dental assistant staff payroll biweekly.
- Create and assign work schedules for dental assistant staff.
- Monitor radiation levels for occupational and safety hazards.
- Oversee waterline maintenance, including testing, shocking, and reporting.
- Ensure dental assistants complete documentation logs and checklists.
- Perform quarterly dental assistant chart audits in collaboration with the Professional Development Dental Assistant.
- Recognize staff concerns and resolve conflict in a timely manner.
- Participate in new employee training protocols in collaboration with the dental assistant professional development function.
- Provide clinical assistance at a designated site for call-outs and vacations as needed.
- Oversee the Lead Dental Assistant.
- Prepare patients and operatories for dental treatment; review and enter medical histories in the electronic dental record; and take blood pressure and pulse as required.
- Remain with the assigned provider during procedures and with the patient in the operatory.
- Maintain instruments, materials, medications, supplies, and treatment rooms in an organized and ready condition.
- Follow infection control protocols and procedures.
- Take radiographs, including PANX and endodontic PAs as needed; State Certification is required for radiographs.
- Keep the oral operating field clean during procedures and prepare restorative materials, dental cements, and impression materials.
- Take and pour dental impressions as required, including preliminary alginate impressions for dentures, repairs, whitening, occlusal guards, and study models.
- Prepare and sterilize instruments and safely operate equipment such as autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, vibrators, and stone trimmers.
- Prepare work to be sent to dental laboratories and perform routine maintenance, including cleaning sterilizers, lubricating equipment, replacing expendable parts, and cleaning operatories.
- Help patients understand appointments and payments when needed.
- Assist providers with entering billing codes before patient dismissal and with end-of-day tasks, including printing and checking the day sheet.
- Scan documents into the computer as required.
- Set up and assist with post/core build-up procedures, hygiene double schedules, traditional crown preparation and delivery, endodontic procedures, and advanced oral surgery procedures, including impacted wisdom teeth and surgical extractions.
- Independently fabricate temporary crowns and place them using temporary cement.
- Work as part of a team and help other assistants and dentists as needed.
- Work at other sites, including Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and ACTION, as needed.
- Communicate respectfully and effectively with staff and patients.
- Demonstrate commitment to the health center mission and CHC Values and Standards, and follow the CHC Employee Handbook and Dental Department Policies and Procedures.
- Provide other job-related duties as assigned.
- Supervise dental assistant students in training and serve as a role model for dental assistants and other dental staff.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
